CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 3

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SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 3.

In Afghanistan Jan. 2, 47 close-air-support missions were flown in support of International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Additionally, 10 Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Afghanistan. Navy fighter aircraft performed in non-traditional ISR roles with their electro-optical and infrared sensors.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided close-air support to troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Baghdad.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 34 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Additionally, 13 Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions in support of operations in Iraq.

On Jan. 2, Air Force rescue and medical crews on HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters flew a medical evacuation mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. An Afghan with injuries requiring urgent care was evacuated as a result of this mission.

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. They flew 140 airlift sorties, delivered 425 tons of cargo and transported 2,300 passengers. This included more than 21,000 pounds of troop supplies air-dropped in eastern Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Japan and South Korea flew in support of OIF or OEF.

On Jan. 1, Air Force and RAF tankers flew 29 sorties and off-loaded almost 2.2 million pounds of fuel.